The Fifth Evangelist ∙
You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. – 1 Peter 3:15
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Bach – A Forgotten Genius Rediscovered
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany, in 1685. Remarkably, during his lifetime, Bach’s genius was not widely recognized or appreciated. His extensive body of work fell into obscurity after his death in 1750, and for decades, his music was largely forgotten.
It wasn’t until nearly 75 years later that Felix Mendelssohn rediscovered Bach’s brilliance. Mendelssohn came across the score of the St. Matthew Passion and was captivated by its beauty and depth. On March 11, 1829, Mendelssohn conducted the entire work for the first time in a century. This performance reignited interest in Bach’s compositions, and he was finally recognized as one of the greatest musical geniuses in history.
More Than a Composer: Bach the Theologian
Bach was not only a masterful musician and composer but also a devoted theologian. His faith was the foundation of his life and work. Unlike traditional theologians who expressed their faith through books, Bach used his keyboard and pen to glorify God.
He created musical equivalents of verbal ideas, crafting melodies that mirrored the ebb and flow of life, like the undulating seas. Nearly three-quarters of his compositions were written for worship, drawing inspiration from biblical themes, stories, and verses. His music overflowed with faith, joy, and truth, earning him the title “The Fifth Evangelist” from Albert Schweitzer.
St. Matthew Passion: A Masterpiece of Faith
One of Bach’s most renowned works, the St. Matthew Passion, is celebrated as “the supreme cultural achievement of Western civilization.” This monumental piece captures the Passion of Christ with stunning emotional depth and profound theological insight.
Through this masterpiece, Bach recounts the story of Christ’s suffering and death, weaving together scripture, poetry, and music to create an experience that is both deeply moving and spiritually enriching. The work encourages listeners to reflect on their own faith and their relationship with God, bringing the gospel story to life in a personal and transformative way.
What sets Bach’s St. Matthew Passion apart is its ability to transcend words. The music itself becomes a language of faith, touching the heart and soul in ways that mere text cannot. Bach’s use of harmonies, counterpoint, and melodic symbolism creates a spiritual journey that draws listeners into the narrative of Christ’s sacrifice and love.
Living as Children of the King
As children of the King, we live in a world that often views us with hostility and suspicion. We seem odd and peculiar. Yet, we are called to be different, to stand apart from cultural trends and progressive undercurrents. Though we are in this world, we are not of it. Our true home is in the Father’s house, prepared for us by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Johann Sebastian Bach understood this truth over three centuries ago. He lived as one who belonged to the Lord, and his life and music reflected his wholehearted devotion to Christ. His example reminds us that our lives, like his music, can be a reflection of faith and a testament to God’s glory.
REFLECT & PRAY
Bach once said, “At a reverent performance of music, God is always at hand with his gracious presence.” His life and work were a testament to this belief, as he used his gifts to glorify God and inspire others.
Father, Your servant Johann Sebastian Bach lived a life that reflected his deep devotion to You. His music was an offering of faith, joy, and truth. Help me to live in the same way that my life may reflect Your light and bring glory to Your name.
INSIGHT
A Life That Reflects Christ
What is the most persuasive argument for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ? Is it logic, reason, evidence, or apologetics? Surprisingly, it is none of these. The most compelling argument is the life of a child of the King who has fully melded their life with that of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our conduct, confidence, faith, hope, and joy should radiate the sweet aroma of Christ’s presence. Our lives are to be above reproach, serving as a living testimony to the transformative power of the gospel. As William Barclay beautifully put it, our goal is to be “someone whose life makes it easier to believe in God.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 reminds us, “But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.”
A Life That Points to Christ
How does a child of the King become a person whose life reflects the beauty and truth of the gospel, like Johann Sebastian Bach? The apostle Peter provides the answer in 1 Peter 3:15, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
The Greek word translated as “sanctify” is hagiazo, which means “to reverence or treat as holy.” It involves “dedicating and setting apart our lives for the Father’s use.” This requires spiritual and moral preparation to live as the Father intended His children to live. To sanctify Christ as Lord means “to give Him His rightful place at the very core of our lives, allowing Him to sit on the throne of our hearts and take charge.”
The Father’s Role in Our Transformation
The beauty of this process is that the Father is actively at work within us to accomplish this transformation. He not only gives us the desire to place Christ at the center of our lives but also provides the power to make it a reality.
Philippians 2:12-13 explains: “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
The Greek word for “work out” is katergazesthai, which means “to work something to full completion or to put it thoroughly into effect.” As Wiersbe notes, this term was used in Paul’s day to describe “working a mine” to extract all the valuable ore or “working a field” to produce the greatest harvest possible.
Paul’s message is clear, Barclay asserts, “Don’t stop halfway; go on until the work of salvation is fully achieved in you. No Christian should be satisfied with anything less than the total benefits of the gospel.”
A Life of Tremendous Potential
Every child of the King has tremendous potential, like a mine rich with valuable ore or a field ready for harvest. The Father desires to help us fulfill that potential, working in us to bring His plans to fruition. As Wiersbe reminds us, “There are problems in life, but God will help us to ‘work them out.’”
It’s not hard to imagine Johann Sebastian Bach being welcomed into heaven with the same honor as Stephen, who saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father.
Acts 7:55-56 recounts: “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, ‘Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!’”
A Life Well-Lived
Every child of the King should aspire to hear the words of praise spoken in Matthew 25:21, “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”
This is the ultimate reward for a life lived in devotion to Christ, a life that reflects His light, spreads His fragrance, and fulfills the potential He has placed within us.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 